WASHINGTON — DC Metro and the agency that oversees its safety issues have reached an agreement that will allow more 7000-series cars to return to service, clearing the way for Metrorail service to Dulles International Airport to begin by Thanksgiving In a series of Twitter posts on Tuesday, the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission announced it […]
NEW YORK — A committee of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board has approved an order of 640 new subway cars, a prelude to consideration of the order by the full MTA board on Wednesday, Oct. 26. The New York City Transit Committee approved the order of the R211 subway cars, an addition to an initial […]
Amtrak NPCU “Cabbage” Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin plug, $239.95; with dual-mode sound decoder, $349.95 Era: 1990s to present (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Rapido Trains Inc., 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5 Canada; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Amtrak Non-Powered Control Unit features: Enlarged marker lights, supplementary air reservoirs, and a K5LA horn Operating strobe lights, […]
Maxi-IV well cars Scale: Z (1:220) Price: Contact manufacturer Era: 2012 to present Manufacturer: American Z Line, 6142 Northcliff Blvd., Dublin, OH 43016; 614-764-1703; americanzline.com Maxi-IV well cars feature: Modified AZL 90001 roller-bearing trucks AutoLatch couplers Metal wheels Six 40- and/or 53-foot intermodal containers in various schemes Road name: Florida East Coast (brown with patched reporting marks). Three road numbers. Release […]
34-foot 100-ton two-bay hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $31.98 (undecorated, $29.98) Era: 1970s to present (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com 34-foot 100-ton two-bay hopper features: Factory-applied door and brake details Heavy die-cast metal underframe 36” metal wheelsets with RP-25 contours Proto-Max metal couplers Road names: Gifford […]
OTTAWA — The Safety Order issued Thursday by Transport Canada appears to require VIA Rail Canada to continue to use unoccupied end-of-train buffer cars through 2023, and recommends “operational measures and additional analysis” until VIA undertakes “a structural reinforcement and repair program” of its entire heritage fleet of stainless steel, head-end-power rolling stock. The […]
WASHINGTON — DC Metro says it is ready to open its Silver Line extension to Dulles International Airport in time for the Thanksgiving Holiday Rush but lacks the equipment to do so — and is blaming the watchdog Washington Metrorail Safety Commission. In a Wednesday press release, Metro said the Silver Line is “operationally ready,” […]
MONTREAL — VIA Rail Canada says in a statement to Trains News Wire that the addition of unoccupied cars at the rear of trains with its heritage stainless steel equipment was recommended by the third-party engineering firm it hired to conduct inspections. The move — to provide protection in case trains collide — was made […]
Maxi-III five-unit articulated well car Scale: HO (1:87:1) Price: $159.99 Era: 1988+ to 1994+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Features: 33” and 38” solid nickel silver wheels with RP-25 contours Body-mounted McHenry double-shelf couplers Injection-molded plastic body Improved metal bolster for added weight Minimum […]
PITTSBURGH — Rail Development Corp., the Pittsburgh-based company which includes part ownership of the Iowa Interstate Railroad and a wide range of freight, logistics, and passenger operations in South America and Europe, is the newest member of the RailPulse coalition. RailPulse is working to bring widespread use of GPS and other telematics technologies to the […]
Gunderson rebuilt all-purpose 53-foot well car Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $44.98 Era: Mid-2000s to present Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Gunderson rebuilt all-purpose 53-foot well car features: Carries 20- to 53-foot intermodal containers Etched-metal see-through walkways Heavy die-cast metal body Body weld line details Factory-installed wire grab irons, brake gear, […]
FORT WORTH, Texas — There are plenty of barriers to be faced in equipping the U.S. freight car fleet with telematics, the use of GPS equipment and other sensors to provide real-time information about car location and all sorts of additional information. One is just getting all parties to agree on the benefits, and what […]
